American Cinematheque

Analysis

American Cinematheque is a registered charity in United States, based in Los Angeles, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 1984, 42 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending September 2023, American Cinematheque reported income of $5.9m and spending of $6.4m, spending 107% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income grew from $3.7m to $5.9m (+62%), an average of +13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2020, when income rose by 268%. Over the whole period it spent 78% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, American Cinematheque sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile, and in the 93rd percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Hands on Childrens Museum ($5.9m), Futuro Media Group ($5.9m) and Kidspace a Participatory Museum ($5.9m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 37% and program service revenue 50% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $101k (1.6% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $2.1m. It paid $138k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $11.5m against liabilities of $3.2m, net assets of $8.3m. It reported 64 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.